Most developers never download fonts. They use the <link> tag. This is the "Google-Hosted" method. When you do this, the user’s browser pings Google’s servers to grab the font file (WOFF2, TTF, etc.).
Here is the deep dive into what actually happens when you hit "download" on Google Fonts. google web fonts free download
When you search for a download , you are rejecting the cloud. You are seeking self-hosting. Most developers never download fonts
Since its rebranding from , the service has grown to host over 1,400 font families. They are favored by professionals because: When you do this, the user’s browser pings
Once you download the font and self-host it, you inherit the responsibility.
: Use the search bar or filters (e.g., Serif, Sans-serif, Language) to find a font. Click on the font name to see details.
Tools like (a beloved community tool) or Fontsource (for NPM) solve the problem elegantly.